From the Field: Christmas Windows

Anthropologie stores have undergone a magical makeover in time for the festive season with their Christmas window displays now in full swing! Warming shades of scarlet and maroon set the tone for cosy backdrops where glittering party accessories tumble from wooden sleighs and seasonal tabletops are laden with critter candles and piled-high books.

Tick ??tock tick tock … it’s time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Swatch! The Swiss watch company marks the countdown to Christmas with a 4 metre Christmas tree in the great atrium under the dome. The tree comes to animated life on the hour, revealing the daily goings on of a peaceful village! Little mice and owls come alive with music and Christmas scenes with Lilly the doll or Mr. and Mrs. Wolf.

Outside, the Christmas windows are decorated with five scenes from the tale of Beauty and the Beast. On the fourth floor, children and their parents have the exclusively privilege of discovering 5 minutes of the new film Beauty and the Beast with Vincent Cassel and Lea Seydoux, which is to released in cinemas on February 12, 2014. Fans take note: Belle will be making some appearances in store…
To recover from all the emotion, make your way to the 8th floor where you will find the Hévin Paul hot chocolate bar.

Like this:

Christmas windows do not have to cost a fortune, sometimes the cheapest items can make a really strong bold statement, if used correctly.
Here’s a great example of paper dollies used to create a Christmas tree shape.

Below is a diagram of the first five steps to make a paper snowflake.Begin with a square sheet of paper and in the first step, fold it on the diagonal. Continue through the other steps.

When making additional cuts for the snowflakes, the point E forms the 6 points of the star or snowflake and the point D forms the center of the star or snowflake. (If you choose to cut off D, a hole will be in the center. If you choose to cut off E, the tips will have more points!)

Make cuts leaving a ‘path’ from E to D. Then open to reveal snowflake. The snowflake can be flattened or made into a relief by folding the 12 creases from the center, alternating in and out .